Fear Trump’s Sexist and Racist Name-calling Will Have Negative Impact on Children

WASHINGTON - September 30, 2016 -

National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García provided the following reaction to Donald Trump's continued attacks against former Miss Universe Alicia Machado:

“Donald Trump is reminding us all just how unfit he is to be the next president," said Eskelsen García. "His actions set a horrible example for children as he makes harassment and shaming of a woman the central focus of his campaign. This is not the type of role model that America’s children need. Educators are with Hillary in standing up to this bullying and doing everything possible to teach our children that we are stronger when we stand together.”

As educators across the country observe an uptick in bullying since Donald Trump has taken to the Presidential Stump, now they fear his most recent spout of degrading and sexist comments will further impact students in their classrooms. Educators have condemned Trump’s vile behavior and urged voters to see the dire need for a role model in the White House.

“Donald Trump fat-shamed a woman who’d just won Miss Universe - so much so that headlines worldwide referred to her as ‘Miss Fat Universe.’ Educators see and help girls struggling every day with body image issues. We see the psychological impact bullying has on our youth. Donald Trump takes that to a new and horrifying level. That’s not the kind of role model our children need to see in the White House. Our children need Hillary’s uplifting message to resonate from the White House, not the insults of a schoolyard bully.” – Julie Friedemann, High School Educator, Jefferson County, CO

“As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how children absorb everything that’s around them; it’s heartbreaking to think how Donald Trump’s latest round of sexist and racist attacks will impact my students. We simply cannot have a President in office who thinks it’s ok to continually demean others. We need a President like Hillary Clinton who our kids can look up to and who will fight for them every day.” - Sue Cahill, Elementary Educator, Marshalltown, IA

“The amount of body-image anxiety that girls go through is bad enough. Now we have Donald Trump, a man with one of the largest microphones in the country, criticizing women about their weight. It’s unconscionable. It’s disgusting. It proves yet again just how unfit Donald Trump is to be President – and starkly contrasts with Hillary, who has dedicated her life to fighting for children and families, not against them.” – Marla Lipkin, Paraeducator, Pennsbury, PA

“If anyone in my classroom called a girl ‘Miss Piggy’ or called a Hispanic student ‘Miss Housekeeping,’ I’d march him straight to the principal’s office. We don’t tolerate bullying in our schools. We certainly cannot tolerate it in the White House. Hillary Clinton is the role model America’s students need.” – Lucia Baez, High School Educator, Miami Beach, FL

A recent report by the nonpartisan Southern Poverty Law Center indicated Trump’s divisive, hate-filled campaign has directly impacted America’s classrooms. More than two-thirds of educators said students – mainly immigrants, children of immigrants and Muslims – have expressed concern on what may happen to their families after the election, and more than half have seen an increase in uncivil political discourse.

Follow NEA on Twitter at @NEAmedia

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing nearly 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers. Learn more at www.nea.org.

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